The Old Brewery, Salisbury

THE LORD CONGLETON AWARD

The Old Brewery, Salisbury

 A brewery was just one of several former uses on this complex site, in the core of the historic city. A Grade II* listing for part of it indicated the need for a sensitive approach, which the judges soon determined was exactly what had been adopted. Commercial uses remain on the Milford Street frontage, where historic buildings had been carefully treated. Further back, and linking through to Pennyfarthing Street, buildings of less interest had been removed, and new ones introduced, divided into flats. These are clad in copper-coloured metal, picking up the typical copper vats using in brewing, while roof forms mirror those of traditional buildings close at hand. Other elements are in a more contemporary vein, contributing to a design approach which the judges felt worked exceptionally well in this context. A narrow alleyway running back from Milford Street now has new frontages further back, picking up the line of historic ones nearer the street, with a glazed bridge structure adding to the interest. Possible overlooking across the alley by residents had been averted by the clever positioning of windows, some in angled projections which added to the sense of a tight medieval passage. The interiors of the flats seen were spacious and nicely handled, with maximum advantage taken higher up of unexpected views across historic roofscapes. The judges felt that both for the treatment of its historic buildings, and the addition of well-designed new ones where appropriate, this development was a great demonstration of how a complex site within the historic chequers could be brought back to life with a good mix of residential and commercial provision, in the process revealing an aspect of the city which normally remains hidden. The highest level award, the Lord Congleton Award, is not always given, but the Old Brewery was felt to be an achievement which fully merited it.

Architects: Barclay + Phillips Architects, Whaddon